Last Saturday (19.01) the "1st edition of FlaCamp", the Holiday Camp of the Most Beloved in Brazil, which started on January 14th. 

The project welcomed 43 children, aged 8 to 16, from different cities in the state and the country, in an environment with all the infrastructure that the biggest fan base in the world deserves, Lonier Space, in Vargem Grande, West Zone of Rio de Janeiro.

The main idea behind the red-and-black summer camp is for participants to have a routine similar to that of players on a professional football team. 

Participants woke up early, had breakfast at 8 a.m., and trained twice a day, each session lasting two hours: from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 15 p.m. to 17 p.m. 

In addition to training, the children enjoyed other recreational activities throughout the day. The participants' meals—as with those on the Clube de Regatas do Flamengo first team—were divided into four meals a day for those participating full-time and three for those participating part-time. Bedtime was around 22 p.m.

The professionals who participated in the project were carefully selected. The multidisciplinary team included two general event coordinators responsible for the FlaCamp brand; a player evaluation coordinator; a professional evaluator from Flamengo; four physical education teachers specializing in soccer; three recreation professionals with experience in summer camps; a secretary; and a professional from Flamengo's marketing department.

According to the event coordinator, Aluízio Lopes, in addition to physical, technical and tactical training, there were also fun moments and lots of recreation.

"We lost count of how many games and activities they played. It was an absolute success, a huge party," celebrated the coordinator.

Led by Thiago Pezão, the club's professional evaluator, the teachers took notes on the participants' performance from day one. According to Thiago, the children who stood out most in training will be invited to try out for Flamengo's youth academy. 

(Those interested can follow the publication of the related items in the first week of February, on the website www.flacamp.com)

The idea for the project came from the CRF Marketing department, in partnership with the company Soccer Camp Eventos Esportivos, which specializes in this type of project, which is inspired by the characteristics of major European football clubs.

"We're reviewing the positives and negatives of this first edition and setting goals for the second, but we can assure you that some surprises are in store. Visits by more club players, a friendly soccer match against an opponent from outside the community, and new nighttime activities, among other ideas, should be implemented in the second edition of FlaCamp," said Rodrigo Magon, one of the people responsible for the Flamengo Schools.

The club's next summer camp is scheduled to take place during the July 2013 holidays.